Twilight's Meyer Tackles Adult Pic Fare With Niccol
Andrew Niccol will write the script and direct.
Meyer’s novel is a love story set in the near future on Earth, which has been assimilated by an alien species that call themselves “Souls.” They are benevolent parasites that subsume the conscious of humans and take possession of their bodies. One such soul, The Wanderer (so named because she has wandered among so many different worlds) is fused with a dying human named Melanie Stryder, in an attempt to locate the last pocket of surviving humans on Earth. The Wanderer cannot subsume the forceful Melanie, and they battle for the girl’s memories and her spirit.
Wechsler and the Schwartz’ are separately teamed on “The Road,” the John Hillcoat-directed adaptation of the Cormac McCarthy novel that will be released November 25 by The Weinstein Company. They are also producing the Paul Schrader-scripted “The Dying of the Light,” and an adaptation of the Pete Takada book “An Eye at the Top of the World,” which is being adapted by Ryne Douglas Pearson.
They will develop the project independently.
The trio wanted to make a science fiction film and fixed on “The Host.” In addition to writing four volumes of the “Twilight” series, Meyer has been heavily involved in the blockbuster screen transfers, and she spurned several overtures for “The Host.” The producers continued lobbying the author and her reps at UTA and The Writers House with a significant offer, a strong vision for the project, and a collaborative spirit. Meyer eventually said yes.
In fact, Niccol first came under consideration after Wechsler and the Schwartz’ asked Meyer her favorite science fiction films, and “Gattaca” and “The Truman Show” were in her top five. Niccol wrote and directed “Gattaca” and scripted the Peter Weir-directed “The Truman Show.”
Niccol read the book, met the producers and author, and the New Zealand-born writer/director sparked to the assignment.
“We wanted Stephenie to be involved in the adaptation, and have her endorse and be part of the creative decisions,” Wechsler said. “`Twilight’ has proven she more more about what works than most.”
Summit releases the second installment of Meyers’s vampire series, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” on November 20.
Niccol is repped by CAA.
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can she even write a story without having a love story in it?
Posted by: Nick | 09/23/2009 at 05:09 AM
I think this will be good. Although unlike with the Twilight series,I think the script writer will have more choices to do what he wants. Which will suck, because I like the book as it is! Oh well, can't wait to see this one in theatres.
Posted by: Jemma | 09/23/2009 at 06:23 AM
Why would you want a story without a little love in it? Doesn't everyone's life have a little love in it to drive it?
Will the Meyer machine never end? Interesting books, for sure, and I hope there's more in the future.
Posted by: Renae | 09/23/2009 at 06:27 AM
This is very exciting. While reading this book, I couldn't help but think how it would become a spectacular movie. Congratulations to Stephenie!
Posted by: Aly | 09/23/2009 at 06:31 AM
congrats Stephenie, if your reading these comments. love the book-hope they don't mangle it on screen
Posted by: Sara | 09/23/2009 at 06:42 AM
I love the Twilight books, and I am a big fan of the movie(s) too, love the movie cast, etc, but my love for them isn't the Twilight hoopla with Rob Pattinson, etc, but Stephenie Meyer's character development, you feel like you really know them. Even so, I really liked The Host the best. I felt the characters were well thought out and stayed true to themselves throughout the whole novel even while they blossomed with new perspectives as we all do. I really can't wait to see this movie. I love that Stephenie brings the conflicted human heart into her stories and can make even a science fiction fantasy feel like it could happen to you. Can't wait, glad she will be involved!
Posted by: Brittany | 09/23/2009 at 06:47 AM
I, think, with a little care, The Host will make for an excellent film. Unlike Twilight, the Host was written in such a way that gives it enough movie-workable material. They just need to be careful to not over-emphasize anything (particularly the romantic component) and they might just successfully make a movie that anyone could watch, including guys. (Because they totally failed on that front for Twilight, and we know they were trying) My dad read The Host, and he liked it, and he's a hard-core science fiction nut.
Posted by: LoouLost | 09/23/2009 at 06:51 AM
I think it's great! It was a wonderful book - quite a departure from Twilight, to be sure. She created a very interesting world with compelling characters. I'm very much looking forward to seeing it, and hope that she is integral to the production. I could also see it becoming a TV series.
It also had plenty of action and violence (in addition to the "love" story aspect).
Posted by: Marilyn | 09/23/2009 at 06:53 AM
OMG!!!!!!!!! Finally, The Host as a movie!!!!!!!!! I LOVE the book and hopefully will LOVE the movie!!!!!!!!! WOO-HOO, YAY!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Nyx | 09/23/2009 at 07:07 AM
I'm excited that Stefanie's "The Host" will be brought to the screen. She is a brilliant writer because she realizes "love" incorporates every part of human lives. People flock to her books because people are attracted to love, we crave love. Her Twilight books are just as wonderful as The Host as well. I hope Stefanie will continue with Midnight Sun because there is something missing from the Twilight books, the point of view of Edward. Thank you Stefanie for the books that you have provided for us.
Posted by: Bethany | 09/23/2009 at 07:11 AM
QUOTE:
"can she even write a story without having a love story in it?"
Posted by: Nick | 09/23/2009 at 05:09 AM
Honestly, Nick. That's like saying "can J.R.R. Tolkien even write a story without Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves, etc..?" or "can J.K. Rowling even write a story without having magic and wizards in it?" If you don't like it, don't read it and leave the millions of fanatics out there alone to read these wonderful masterpieces created by the beautiful and talented Stephenie Meyer. Also, I would like to point out she has only written 5 novels and 4 of them are part of a series. She can write what she wants (with or without a love story). Besides, she is the one who is making probably millions off of these novels (did I mention that Edward and Bella, as lovers, are considered these days to be the new Romeo and Juliet? That's practically comparing Stephenie Meyer to Shakespeare!).
Posted by: Belinda | 09/23/2009 at 07:22 AM
I hope Stephanie goes ahead and writes Midnight Sun. I can not get enough of the Twilight Seris and the rough draft of Midnight Sun is very good. I need more please!!!!
Posted by: Quita | 09/23/2009 at 07:29 AM
I'm so excided! But I PRAY they do this book better than the trash they've produced from the Twilight novels!
Posted by: Carol | 09/23/2009 at 07:33 AM
How about we worry about getting Breaking Dawn to the big screen before working on The Host? Just a thought. I love the Twilight series & I'm looking forward to New Moon & Eclipse but hell I just want it in print that Breaking Dawn has been confirmed for the big screen in more words than "its a work in progress" from Summit.
Posted by: JessicaLyn0115 | 09/23/2009 at 07:38 AM
I'm so excited! Can't wait! The book is so great! Hope the movie is only better, though I'd think that wouldn't be possible!
Posted by: Eline | 09/23/2009 at 07:42 AM
I'm going to cry!!! This is my favorit book and knowing it's going to be a movie confuses me a little. I can't deeside if it's a good or bad thing!
On one point i want it a movie becuase if Stephenies not makeing a 2ent one then that mean's whats in The Host is all I will ever know about Ian, Wannda, Mel, Jared and Jamie and I really don't want that to be the end of there story! So the movie would be a nuther way to get even just a little tinny bitt more of them all.
Then on the other hand I can't have what happend to me and Twilight, happen to me and The Host. I'm dyslexic and can't read well, so I 1st herd Twilight on book tape. I fell in love with the story and had to know more, finley I really read Eclips and now i read when ever I git the chance. I got to see Twilight in theaters 18 times and bot it the night it came out but just last night I was reading Twilight and New Moon agin and I realised now my viwe of the book is all curupted, I can't even picsher Jake right any more! It's killing me becuase I love this book but the movie trashed it for me. I can't let The Host die for me! I really can't say if this news brings me joy or not.
Posted by: Heather | 09/23/2009 at 07:49 AM
The Host is such a awsome book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you ever see this paige i wanted to say Think you Stephenie for being a good dreamer and makeing so many people happyer then they were before!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gosh I'm a dork! hahahahahahahaha I think every one really need's to tell you think you because what you did was completly beautifull!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Heather | 09/23/2009 at 07:55 AM
@Nick: I'm not a fan of Stephenie Meyer but what, exactly, is wrong with love stories?
Posted by: Mary | 09/23/2009 at 08:01 AM
I'm Extremely excited about this i thought the whole time i read it about how good of a movie it would be. I deffinatly appreciate stephanie meyer for putting her books into movies it is so interesting ot beable to see what i am reading and compare veiws! can't wait to here more about The Host.
Posted by: Ashley | 09/23/2009 at 08:06 AM
Absolutely loved her book "The Host". It was totally different than her Twilight Books, which were awesome books by the way....but this book has its own greatness. Cant wait to see it in film. Keep writing Stephenie!! And thanks for the books you already have written.
Posted by: Krista | 09/23/2009 at 08:16 AM
I seriously wish Steph would go away. The Twilight books, to be brief, are just terrible. The characters are bland and unbelievable-literally. The prose is definitely not amazing. The dialogue in particular is stagnant and unnatural. I couldn't even pretend to like anything about the stupid book to talk to my friends about it. Nothing can fix the fact that the characters are laughably absurd. I read The Host before Twilight and while it was just slightly better insofar as it was more creative, the main character is just obnoxious. I kept hoping she would die. I was seriously disappointed when she got everything she wanted, just like Bella. I didn't like Harry Potter either, but that's only because I don't really like fantasy. Rowling can at least write convincingly and at times, beautifully. I hope the next big teen writer can live up to her and doesn't follow in the bland, stupid tradition of Meyer.
Posted by: Heather | 09/23/2009 at 08:25 AM
I am very happy for you Stephenie, I hope The Host on big screen does well. However it's been a year and no mention of your "on hold" book. Since it's been a year now since the hold, do you think you can atleast give us an update on your plans (good or bad). Don't you think we've been left dangling long enough?....Just sayin'
Posted by: Jennifer | 09/23/2009 at 08:29 AM
I am through the roof excited about this movie!!!! i LOVED the book and feel so connected to the story--maybe cause it's based in AZ where i'm from! I really hope they film here that would be FANTASIC!!!
Posted by: brandaloochies | 09/23/2009 at 08:32 AM
PLEASE cast josh duhamel for jared!!!
Posted by: dv | 09/23/2009 at 08:35 AM
OMG I am officially speeechless
I think I've calmed down now. OMG THE HOST US GOING TO BE MADE INTO A MOVIE!!!!!!!! Can't wait to hear who the cast will be. I'm hoping for ian somerhalder as ian o'shea jensen ackles for jared and sophia bush for melanie
Posted by: Sarah | 09/23/2009 at 08:51 AM